The plan is to use magazines in order improve reading standards among children from areas of disadvantage.

According to NLT research involving 18,000 children and young people, magazines are a powerful medium for encouraging reading for pleasure among children who label themselves as non-readers.

Barry McIlheney, the PPA's chief executive, said: "Literacy is a fundamental life skill that many of us take for granted, but without it these children will develop into young adults who will struggle in the modern world.

"Through MagAid, our industry can play its part in tackling this problem, improving life chances, and encouraging an enjoyment in reading."

The NLT has recently completed a MagAid-funded young readers' programme at the City of London Academy. Its principal, Richard Bannister, said the programme "has had a tremendous impact in promoting literacy across year 7 in our academy. It... has been really well received by students and staff."

Clive Foskett, MagAid's founder and chief executive of Signature Publishing, said: "The first school project is already demonstrating that through MagAid we can make a real difference on this major issue."